‘Boston Strong’ license plates proposed in Massachusetts Legislature

‘Boston Strong’ license plates proposed in Massachusetts Legislature

(CNN) — The “Boston Strong” motto may appear on Massachusetts license plates. The Massachusetts Legislature will consider establishing the plates at a State House hearing on Tuesday.

“Boston Strong” became the rallying cry of the city in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15. It has since become a ubiquitous slogan seen on everything from T-shirts to billboards to Twitter hashtags.

Two bombs exploded at the annual marathon race, killing three people and wounding more than 260 others. Brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev are suspected of the bombings. Tamerlan Tsarnaev died after a gunfight with police. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

State Rep. Angelo Puppolo, the sponsor of the license plate legislation, said he sees the plate as “another way for people to show their support and continue to remember.”

The legislation calls for a portion of the license plate fee to go to One Fund Boston, the fund established to assist victims and families affected by the attack.

As the bill is written, a Boston Strong license plate would cost a driver at least $50 more than they already pay for their registration every two years. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles would then subtract a one-time fee of $12, which is the cost of making a license plate, said Registry of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Sara Lavoie. The remaining money would go to One Fund Boston.

After the initial hearing on Tuesday, the bill would then need to pass the House of Representatives and State Senate and be signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick.